Any car lover works hard to maintain their vehicle, both to ensure it looks great but also to maintain the value so you can maximise on the investment when it comes to upgrading your car.
Whether you’re simply looking to make money from a vehicle or simply maintain as much value as possible, taking care of it is crucial, and one of the most effective ways to do this is through regular car detailing.
We’ve explored the top benefits of car detailing and how they in turn preserve the value of your vehicle over time.
- How car detailing maintains the value of your car:
- Protects the paintwork
- Prevents rust and corrosion
- Extends the life of your interior
- Protects against spills and stains
- Maintains mechanical components
- Enhances the look and buyers opinion of the car
- Demonstrates care and attention of the owner
Protect the paintwork
Cleaning and protecting the exterior of your car helps maintain the paintwork and protects it from environmental factors such as UV rays, dirt and road debris. Exterior car care and cleaning typically includes washing and cleaning the car to remove contaminants and then the application of protective car wax or sealants, which will also leave the paint looking clean and shiny.
These products create a barrier between the car body and outside elements which can cause the paint to fade or degrade. Waxes and sealants will also help to fill in small scratches and imperfections, which further improves the overall appearance of the car and prevents further damage.
Other products will also repel water and other contaminants that will make it far easier to clean the car if you wish to detail on a regular basis.
Prevents rust and corrosion
The accumulation of dirt and grime will lead to rust and corrosion over time. Regular car detailing will remove these contaminants and protect your car. This needs to include hard to reach areas such as the engine and undercarriage.
There are detailing products that act as rust inhibitors that will prevent rust forming on metal surfaces. They contain a chemical compound that prevents things such as water reaching the surface of the metal. Waxes and sealants can also help as we’ve already mentioned they add a barrier to prevent surfaces coming into contact with other contaminants.
If you do already have a rust issue that the right car detailing products can often remove it before you have a much bigger problem. There are specialist products and cleaning techniques that will safely remove rust without damaging the underlying metal surface.
Extends the life of your interior
Regular car detailing also includes thoroughly cleaning the interior. This will prevent wear and tear to upholstery, leather, plastic and any other surface.
An interior detail should include vacuuming, cleaning surfaces and shampooing fabrics such as carpets, mats and upholstery. Not only will this remove and prevent dirt and dust gathering it will add protection from UV Rays that can cause fading and discolouration. Leather and vinyl surfaces will become dry and cracked when left untreated, specialist vinyl and leather interior cleaners will moisturise and condition them to prevent tears.
Interior detailing products will also protect surfaces and help repel spills and stains. Not only will this extend the life of your interior, it will also make regular cleaning far easier.
An interior detail is not complete without eliminating odours. Over time your car will develop unpleasant odors from spills and general use. Regular cleaning will add a fresh and clean environment but you can further add to this by using specialist odor eliminators.
Protects against stains and spills
Any good detailing job should include the application of protection to all surfaces of your car to help repel the elements and prevent stains.
Good quality detailing products contain special additives that repel harmful rays from the sun, and prevent stains forming from any spills. Especially with interior cleaning, professional products (when used correctly) will penetrate deep into the fibers and remove even the toughest stains.
Maintains mechanical components
Car detailing should also include a thorough inspection of the mechanical components, which above other benefits can also help you identify any potential issues before they become bigger problems.
Cleaning areas such as the undercarriage and engine bay will remove dirt, debris and other things that will accumulate and contribute to the formation of rust or cause corrosion. You will also easily spot any leaks around the engine, and increase the lifespan of components such as exhausts, suspension and brakes.
While car detailing doesn't typically include mechanical maintenance, it can serve as a reminder to stay on top of regular maintenance tasks such as oil changes, tire rotations, and brake inspections.
Enhances curb appeal
All detailing enthusiasts do it to firstly achieve the goal of having a great looking car. This will also make it far more attractive to buyers and increase its value.
On top of the cleaning methods mentioned above, there are also a host of detailing products that are specifically created to boost the appearance of a vehicle. For example, tire shine can be added to give them a highly glossy finish, whilst car interior dressings can be used to restore the shine of any plastic or vinyl surfaces.
A car that looks well-maintained and clean is likely to attract more potential buyers than a car that looks dirty and neglected.
Demonstrates care and attention
A car that has been regularly detailed demonstrates that the owner has taken long term care of the vehicle. Car detailing can be hard work and includes cleaning hard to reach areas, polishing, waxing and deep cleaning interiors.
It’s not just the products either, to get the best results you should apply them using the right techniques. Detailing expertise will be evident in the quality of the finish. Car detailing takes time and effort to perform correctly. By investing in the process, car owners demonstrate that they value their car and have put in the time and effort required to keep it looking its best.